Building a house with recycled materials does not mean it will finally look like a crazy, artistic project made of cans and bottles. Realized by Lendager Arkitekter, Upcycle House conveys the principles of up-cycling in a tangible and clear example. According to the architect, the experimental project aimed at exposing potential carbon-emission reductions through the use of recycled and up-cycled building materials. In the case of Upcycle House, the reduction has been 86% compared to a benchmark house. Thus, up-cycling means to process used goods or waste material so as to produce something that is often better than the original. The load bearing structure consists of two prefabricated shipping containers, while the roof and facade cladding is made from recycled aluminium soda-cans. Facade panels, consist of post-consumer recycled granulated paper, which is pressed together and heat-treated. The kitchen floor is clad in tiled champagne cork-leftovers, and the bath tiles are made from recycled glass.
